Thread: Is Thailand expensive now?

From The Nation, February last year:

The rising price of meat and eggs has prompted the Commerce Ministry to investigate whether increases in the cost of feed meal are pushing up retail prices.

The move came after the ministry received a lot of complaints. For instance, the price of pork has increased since last month by Bt10 per kilogram to Bt115-Bt120, while eggs have gone up from Bt2.90-Bt3.00 per egg to Bt3.10 now.
Ministry spokesman Chatchai Chookaew said yesterday that Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai had ordered the Internal Trade Department to look into the production cost of feed meal and whether it is in line the rise in retail prices of these main foods.
Pig and egg producers claim that the cost of essential materials has increased by an average of 5 per cent.
However, the ministry will consider ways keep pork and egg prices reasonable.
Chatchai said the ministry would also try to distribute more cooking palm oil to consumers, as there were still a lot of complaints, particularly about retail prices. In some areas, consumers have been charged Bt6570 per litre bottle, much higher than the controlled price of Bt47.
Vatchari Vimooktayon, directorgeneral of the Internal Trade Department, said the palmoil quota allocation had been changed to ensure optimal distribution. In particular, 50 per cent has been distributed to modern trade channels such as supermarkets and the rest directly transferred to large communities.
However, the government has to shoulder the high cost of imported palm oil - 120,000 tonnes at Bt41 per litre.
"We will consider whether it is necessary to adjust the retail price of cooking palm oil for another round if manufacturers cannot shoulder higher costs of imported oil," she said.
Despite the big lot of imported palm oil, the shortage persists, as the ministry found that some manufacturers had reduced production capacity. They claim the higher production costs mean cooking palm oil should be priced at Bt54 per litre bottle, but the price has been capped by the government at Bt47.
Yanyong Phuangrach, permanent secretary of the Commerce Ministry, said consumers' cost of living was a government priority. As a result, the ministry has closely monitored prices of goods and foods. However, he said, it was reluctant to interfere with market mechanisms.
He pointed out that the rising pork price could be the result of hot weather, which delays pigs' growth. The ministry will closely monitor prices from the farm through to the butcher shop.

"If the prices at the butcher shop are not increased in line with farmers' costs, that means unfair practices by butchers," he said.

That's the pork price increase explained. It's been a lot hotter this year.

---Update---

Oh... and the palm oil money was all slooshing around in Suthep's pockets. O! for the days of good government!

Originally Posted by manned-rake

In some areas, consumers have been charged Bt6570 per litre bottle,

I think I'd just switch to olive oil or some other cheap substitute.

At that price I'd just as likely get a lithe and nudely Nubian to press me some extra-virgin here at the house... cold-pressed to keep the nips all perky.

Originally Posted by Don Ho

Health costs in general are much cheaper.

Originally Posted by russellsimpson

That's arguable.

Perhaps arguable if you are from England or country with National Health Care or equivalent. However, it is not reasonably arguable when compared to health costs in America.

Russ is from Canada.

Originally Posted by Bangkok Phil

I still think Thailand is relatively good value for those that live and work here on a decent salary or income

Isn't that true of every other country in the world?

Great for a holiday or mardi gras but I would not live there again. Fukked up system.